Kerala Landslide Highlights | Death toll rises to 123 even as rescuers race against time to find survivors

Eight dead as massive landslides hit Kerala's Wayanad, several feared trapped

Massive landslides struck various hilly areas near Meppadi in Kerala's Wayanad district early on Tuesday, leaving hundreds of people suspected to be trapped.

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Two Air Force helicopters to depart for Wayanad for search operations, says Kerala CM

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said in a Facebook post that two Air Force helicopters will depart for Wayanad from Sulur shortly to take part in the search and rescue operations.

According to district authorities, several families have been moved to the various camps or homes of their relatives in the wake of the landslides.

All govt agencies have joined rescue operations, says Kerala CM

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan said on Tuesday that all government agencies have joined the search and rescue operations in the wake of massive landslides that struck various hilly areas near Meppadi in Kerala's Wayanad district, leaving hundreds feared to be trapped.

Helpline Numbers for emergency health services | 8086010833 and 9656938689

Around 50 people have so far been admitted to a private medical college in Wayanad. The Health Department has provided two helpline numbers - 9656938689 and 8086010833 - for those in need of emergency assistance, and has also established a control room.

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Several teams are involved in the rescue operation

250 members of Fire and Rescue, Civil Defence, NDRF and Local Emergency Response Team are involved in the rescue operation in Wayanad Churalmala. An additional team of NDRF has been directed to reach the spot immediately: Kerala CMO

PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi condoles loss of lives in Kerala landslide

PM Modi announces ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakhs for victims, Rahul condoles loss of lives; PM also spoke to Minister George Kurien about the incident

According to WIMS Medical College, 48 people are under treatment and 4 bodies have been brought so far: Medical Officer

Extremely pained by landslides in Wayanad, my deepest condolences to the families of the bereaved: Kharge

30-member NDRF team from Bengaluru to assist rescue teams in Wayanad: NDRF

A 30-member NDRF team from Bengaluru will be going to Wayanad to assist rescue teams. The team from NDRF, Arakkonam is already camping in Wayanad and additionally National Disaster Response Force Commandant Mr Akhilesh Kumar is rushing to Wayanad region, NDRF has said.

Death toll in Wayanad landslide rises to 11

CPI MP P Sandosh Kumar says, Kerala has become ecologically sensitive,a coordinated joint effort is under way

Priyanka Gandhi condoles loss of lives in Kerala landslide

"I am deeply saddened to see the devastation caused by the massive landslide near Meppadi, Wayanad.

My heartfelt condolences and prayers are with all those who have lost loved ones. I hope and pray that everyone is brought to safety as soon as possible.

I urge the government to take immediate action to expedite relief and rescue operations and request UDF workers to step forward to do all they can to be of support and comfort to all those affected by this tragedy."

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh condoles loss of lives in Kerala landslide

Army has mobilised four columns including two columns ex 122 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) and two ex DSC Centre, Kannur: Indian Army

The Army received a requisition for providing aid to civil authority today morning. In response, the Army has mobilised four columns including two columns ex 122 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) and two ex the DSC Centre, Kannur. The total strength of Army deployed so far for the rescue operation is approximately 225 including medical personnel: Indian Army

Govt of Kerala has started relief measures, rescue operation has begun on a war footing level: Congress MP K Suresh

State govt requested the Centre and PM spoke to Kerala CM, together we will do rescue work, says Union Minister George Kurien

Credit: X/@ANI

Union Minister George Kurien said, "Since early morning itself, the PM was active, he was monitoring everything. He was taking stock of the situation and directed the Force, NDRF to reach there for immediate rescue actions. They have already moved from Kerala and outside Kerala, all forces have been alerted...Air Force might have reached there now and Army is also reaching there. It is a hilly area and the problem is that reaching there is very difficult, helicopter and other help are needed...State Government also requested the Centre and PM spoke to the Kerala CM, together we will do the rescue work."

Home Minister Amit Shah condoles loss of lives in Wayanad landslide

"Deeply concerned by the incidents of landslides in Wayanad, Kerala. The NDRF is conducting search and rescue operations on a war footing. The second team is on its way to further strengthen the response operation. My condolences to the families of the deceased and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured."

President Droupadi Murmu condoles loss of lives in Wayanad landslide

Death toll in Wayanad landslide reaches 19; hundreds still missing

Kerala CM at State Disaster Management Authority control room in Thiruvananthapuram

Kerala forest minister A K Saseendran visits landslide survivors at a private hospital in Wayanad

Deeply pained to learn about massive landslides in Wayanad and consequent loss of priceless lives: M K Stalin

Union Minister Piyush Goyal says central govt will provide all possible help to the victims

Credit: X/@PTI_News

"There has been a big loss in Wayanad. As per the information, many people have lost their lives, several others are injured. I extend my condolences to the affected families. I am with them in the hour of grief. May God give them the strength to bear the loss. I pray that the injured also recover soon. PM Modi has talked to CM Vijayan. The Centre is with them. The central govt will provide all possible help," said Union Minister Piyush Goyal.

Rahul Gandhi speaks with CM Pinarayi Vijayan; urges UDF workers to provide all help

Rahul Gandhi said he has spoken to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the Wayanad district collector, who have assured him that rescue operations are under way.

Latest visuals of rescue operation that is under way

Mayawati condoles loss of lives in Wayanad

"It is very sad that heavy loss of life and property has occurred due to landslides etc. as a result of heavy rains in Wayanad of Kerala state. My deepest condolences to all the affected families and I appeal to the central and state government to provide them all kinds of help immediately. It would be better if the neighboring states also come forward to help."

Former Chief Minister of Karnataka Basavaraj S Bommai, H D Kumaraswamy condole loss of lives

Five ministers assigned to address aftermath, announces CM Vijayan

Deeply saddened by the devastation caused by the landslides in Wayanad: Yogi Adityanath

Deeply saddened by the devastation caused by the landslides in Wayanad, Kerala. My heartfelt condolences and prayers are with those who have lost their loved ones, and I hope for the swift recovery of the injured.

NDRF rescue ops continues

49 bodies recovered from landslide hit areas of Wayanad till 11:30 am, confirms police; death toll feared to go up

Massive landslides devastate Wayanad villages

Credit: Reuters Photo

Destroyed houses, swollen water bodies and broken branches of uprooted trees dot the high-range villages of Kerala's Wayanad, rocked by massive landslides on Tuesday.

Picturesque hamlets known for their beauty until Monday--Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha- are now a picture of gloom after landslides hit the areas, cutting them off from other places.

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Forest Minister A K Saseendran assess damages in Wayanad's Chooralmala

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav condoles loss of life in Wayanad landslide

DIG NDRF Bharat Bhushan Vaid says, two other teams are on the way for rescue ops

Rahul to visit Wayanad, Modi asks Minister of State to head rescue ops

Death toll now 49; hundreds still missing

The death toll in the Wayanad landslides is escalating with 49 bodies recovered so far. Hundreds of people have been reported missing in the tragedy that took place on Tuesday.

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66 deaths reported till 1 pm

Wayanad landslide is emerging as the landslide with the highest death toll in the state in the recent times.

Anand Mahindra condoles loss of lives in Wayanad landslide

Temporary hospital facilities to be set up at mosque, madrasa in Wayanad to aid relief efforts

Temporary hospital being set up in Wayanad's Chooralmala

It is a tragic and sorrowful incident, says BJP leader V Muraleedharan

Karnataka committed to providing all possible help to Kerala, says CM Siddaramaiah

Expressing grief over the loss of lives in landslides in Kerala's Wayanad district, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said Karnataka is committed to providing all possible help to the neighbouring state.

Watch: Kerala State Disaster Management Authority Secretary Sekar Kuriakose on rescue ops

"The rescue is coordinated and we have sufficient forces. NDRF was prepositioned... 10 teams of fire and rescue, 200 civil defence volunteers...3 teams of NDRF will operate and we have requested the 4th team, two teams of Defence security cops, and one Navy river crossing team. We have also requested for engineering task force from the army... We have aircraft ready to move these troops," Sekar Kuriakose told ANI.

The landslides triggered by heavy rainfall, which occurred early on Tuesday, has left a trail of destruction, with several houses destroyed, water bodies swollen and trees uprooted

Kerala government declares official mourning in the state on July 30 and 31

Indian Army column reached the landslide site at Chooralmala

Using ropes, soldiers are being ferried across the river which is in spate to assist and carry out rescue efforts in Ward No 10 of Chooralmala: Indian Army officials

via ANI

Death toll rises to 84, a total of 116 injuries reported so far: Kerala Revenue Minister's office

Landslide hits high range areas of Kerala's Kozhikode

A man went missing, several houses were damaged and bridge and roads washed away following a landslide reported in Vilangadu and Malayangadu areas in the high ranges of northern Kozhikode district on Tuesday.

Heavy rains triggered a series of massive landslides in the hilly areas of neighbouring Wayanad district early on Tuesday, leaving over 50 people dead and sparking apprehensions of a possible increase in fatalities due to hundreds of people feared being trapped under the debris.

National Defence Rescue Force (NDRF) personnel launched a mission to search for the missing man, Kozhikode district authorities said.

Landslide and mudslide were reported in Maruthongara village and Kaithappoyil-Anorammal road respectively.

The Malayangadu bridge was washed away, resulting in as many as 15 families being cut off from the main area, they said.

Those living on the banks of the river here were shifted to relief camps and rescue operations are continuing under the aeigs of NDRF team.

via PTI

Survivors recount harrowing experiences of their narrow escape

As intense rescue efforts continue to save those trapped by the devastating landslide that hit the hilly Wayanad district of Kerala, survivors recount the harrowing experiences of their narrow escape just moments before the tragedy.

An elderly couple in Wayanad's landslide-hit area recounted their desperate bid for safety as the disaster struck in the dead of night. The couple, whose house was destroyed in the landslide, fled their home at 11 PM after noticing muddy water flowing through their area.

They sought refuge on a nearby hill, but not before trying to save their neighbour, who, according to them, tragically refused to join them.

"We begged him to come with us, but he said he would join us by 1 AM. He never came," the elderly man said, his voice cracking with emotion. He added that they were waiting at the hilltop until morning and when they came back, the whole area was washed away. Another woman was seen sobbing in front of the media, saying her relative called her and said they were running from their home carrying their toddler.

"She called me in the night and said they were trying to escape from the region. They had a toddler with them. After that, they were unreachable on the phone," she said. That family is yet to be traced.

The Meppadi hospital near Mundakkai, overwhelmed with the injured, the deceased, and those searching for missing friends and relatives, presented a heartbreaking scene.

via PTI

Indian Navy's River Crossing team to reach Wayanad to assist rescue efforts; Army to build temporary bridge to Chooralmala

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan addresses media; says at least 93 bodies recovered so far

"The landslide in Wayanad is a heart-wrenching disaster. There was extremely heavy rainfall. An entire area has been wiped out. We have recovered 93 bodies so far, but the numbers may change. There are 128 people receiving treatment for injuries. Many who went to sleep last night have been swept away," CM said.

In Pics: Indian Army rescues around 150 people from Mudakkayi village

Watch: Indian Air Force helicopters carrying out rescue operation in Chooralmala

Heavy engineering equipment, rescue dog teams airlifted; ICG mobilises relief teams

Heavy engineering equipment and rescue dog teams are being airlifted and disaster relief teams have been dispatched by the Indian Coast Guard to provide aid and succour to people after a series of landslides in the hilly areas of Kerala's Wayanad district early Tuesday.

CM Vijayan urges people to come together like in 2018 to rebuild destroyed lives

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday put out an appeal while speaking of the trail of destruction and despair left behind by the landslides in Wayanad district that killed 93 people and injured 128.

He urged people to come together to rebuild destroyed lives and livelihoods, like they did in 2018 when floods ravaged the state. Vijayan said that while many people were offering help, more was needed to rebuild the affected areas and lives, and urged everyone to contribute to the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund.

via PTI

Death toll rises to 123 in landslides in Kerala's Wayanad: Govt sources

Post-mortem of 102 bodies completed: Health minister Veena George

Visuals from Wayanad as rescue ops continue

CM Vijayan holds high-level meeting to coordinate rescue operations

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday convened a high-level meeting to coordinate rescue operations in Wayanad and discuss further steps in the wake of the massive landslides in the hilly district that claimed the lives of at least 123 people and injured over 128.

At least 123 dead, 128 injured; rescuers race against time to find survivors

In one of the worst natural disasters in Kerala, at least 123 persons were killed and 128 injured in massive landslides triggered by torrential rains in Wayanad on Tuesday. With hundreds trapped under the debris, sparking fears of mounting fatalities, rescue agencies were racing against time to pull out any survivors.

Government sources said 123 people have been killed so far in the tragedy.

Heart-wrenching scenes and phone conversations of several people crying and pleading to be rescued, as they were either trapped in their houses or had no way to move out of places where they were stranded, were witnessed after the landslides that left a trail of death and destruction in the picturesque hamlets of Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala and Noolpuzha.

Earlier, speaking at a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram about the massive tragedy, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said: "Due to the intense rainfall, landslides occurred, and an entire region has been destroyed. Ninety-three bodies have been recovered so far."

He said 128 people are undergoing treatment at various hospitals.

via PTI